Mathematics teacher Pål Harald Hansen receives the Holmboe Prize for his innovative work with exploratory teaching and his ability to inspire and guide students to achieve exceptional results.
Holmboe prize winner Pål Henrik Hansen and leader of the Norwegian Mathematics Council, Cordian Riener. Foto: Hallgeir Henriksen/Ságat
Bernt Michael Holmboe's memorial prize (The Holmboe prize) is named after Bernt Michael Holmboe (1795-1850) who was a teacher at Oslo Cathedral School and discovered Norway's foremost mathematician, Niels Henrik Abel. This year, the award goes to a teacher who has a very special ability to lift and stimulate pupils, and who have made important contributions to both the theory and practice of mathematics teaching.
Creates excitement
Pål Harald Hansen works at Sandnes and Bjørnevatn school in Sør-Varanger municipality, and has over 30 years of experience as a teacher. Colleagues refer to the award winner as a very skilled mathematics teacher with a special eye for what each individual student needs, whether they struggle with the subject or want greater challenges. The school year 2022-2023 his students won the UngeAbel competition, and thus progressed to the Nordic final in Vaasa in Finland, where they came second.
- I myself have seen the excitement in the eyes of Pål Harald Hansen's students, when the winners of the UngeAbel competition presented the work they won with. Creating such enthusiasm for mathematics is a great achievement and among the most important things a teacher can do, says Cordian Riener, head of the Norwegian Mathematics Council.
In the justification for the award, it is stated that Hansen's commitment has also reached the municipal council and the business community, where he has presented his work and shown how mathematics education can be a catalyst for intellectual growth and innovation.
Pål Harald Hansen was surprised with the news of the award in a math class on Monday morning at Sandnes and Bjørnevatn school. The award ceremony itself takes place on Thursday 23. from kl. 11 in a ceremony at Oslo Cathedral School under Abeluka. The price amount is on 100 000 NOK and is shared equally between the prize winner and the prize winner's school.
This year, the Norwegian Mathematics Council also gave an honorable mention to André Løvvang Aasgaard (Øreåsen school), Paul Waits (British International school of Stavanger), Torill Lekve (Byåsen upper secondary school) and Issa Mihesh (Valler upper secondary school).
Excerpt from the committee's reasoning:
"Pål Harald Hansen has distinguished himself as a pioneer in the work with exploratory teaching, and his involvement has had a significant impact both locally and nationally. [...] Hansen has proven himself to be a true leader in his field, and he shares his knowledge and experience through courses at other schools in the municipality, both at primary and secondary school level."